The government has progressed into advanced talks with international donor agencies to finance rail projects in the country.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan said the Department of Finance (DOF) has taken the lead in the negotiations, now in advanced stages, for the US$400- million North Luzon Railway Corp. or North Rail Project package.

"The North Rail Project would be funded by China. Meanwhile, project arrangements between South Korea and the Philippines for the South Manila Commuter Rail Projects were finished last month," Tungalan said.

"We expect a signing earlier this year for the Northrail, but according to the Finance Department, some of the specific provisions are still being worked out. But it is already in the advanced stage of financial negotiations," he said.

The government signed with Korean officials last month a loan agreement amounting to US$35 million to fund the construction of the South Rail project that runs to Calamba in Laguna from Manila.

The project involves rehabilitation of the old tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) in two phases: the Caloocan-Alabang phase and the Alabang-Calamba portion.

NEDA said the acquisition of new diesel engines and the repair of railroad stations and existing tracks are expected to be completed in three years, including the relocation of squatters by the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The rehabilitation and upgrading of the PNR will greatly help daily commuters from nearby areas of Metro Manila.

NEDA said a major part of the rehabilitation of the PNR railroad tracks includes the relocation of squatters, who continue to live right beside the railroad tracks, despite the dangers.

The President acted within the law in the appointment of the two Comelec commissioners.

The claimed diversion of educational funds to the campaign is blatant falsehood.

We call on the President’s detractors to spare her educational program from politics.

In response to the government campaign against corruption in the bureaucracy, the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) will convene an anti-corruption summit to be participated in by the government employees themselves, representatives from anti-graft agencies and civil society tomorrow, February 26, at Bahay Pangarap, Malacaņang park, Manila.

Inspired by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration’s relentless efforts to curb corruption through the conduct of lifestyle checks and the series of dismissal/suspension orders issued by Malacaņang against corrupt officials, the PGEA requested the President to count them in on the war against corruption.

According to PGEA president Esperanza S. Ocampo, the war against corruption can only be won if we enlist the support and participation of the government employees themselves. This is a necessary ingredient for building a stronger bureaucracy towards a strong republic.

Ocampo said a self-policing mechanism in the bureaucracy is an effective tool to deter would be grafters. It could even prosecute corrupt employees if the employees themselves monitor and document the nefarious activities of their co-workers.

The PGEA sought accreditation with the Office of the Ombudsman as a Corruption Prevention Unit that was readily granted.

Moreover, to operationalize its function as Corruption Prevention Unit, PGEA launched its "Dulugan ng Bayan" Program and entered into separate Memoranda of Agreements with the Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

The "Dulugan ng Bayan" is a Public Assistance Desk manned by the employees themselves who are empowered to act on complaints, gather evidence and build up cases and file the same with the concerned agencies through the help of the transparency Group of the Office of the presidential Chief of Staff.

As the nation celebrated the 18^th anniversary of the first People Power Revolution today, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act No. 9256 declaring August 21 of every year as Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday.

The law finally gave due recognition to the heroism of the man whose selfless efforts and supreme sacrifices moved millions of peace-loving Filipinos to march to EDSA and collectively claim democracy back for the Philippines in 1986.

The new law is a consolidation of House Bill No. 5525 and Senate Bill No. 2586.

After the signing ceremony at the People Power Monument at EDSA, Former President Corazon Aquino thanked President Macapagal-Arroyo for signing the bill, sponsored by no less than Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia, into law.

"I hope we will remember the sacrifices of Ninoy," Aquino said in acknowledging the display of statesmanship and multi-partisan collaboration of the two chambers of Congress who recognized Ninoy Aquino as a hero through the law.

The President started the celebration of the 18^th anniversary of EDSA I with the traditional flag raising ceremony at the People Power Monument.

Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Aquino, Edsa People Power Commission Chairman/Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina, Jr. attended the occasion.

There was also the raising of municipal colors under the supervision of Metro Manila Develoment Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando while Ang Bayan Ko was being rendered by Ivy Violan.

Ramos, one of the principal heroes of EDSA I, delivered a special message, saying the celebration has become nationwide and universal.

"It was the non-violent, peaceful power revolution of the Filipinos in February 1986 that sparked the light of freedom all over the world," Ramos said.

President Macapagal-Arroyo led in recitation of the Pledge of Commitment to live the spirit of EDSA People Power:

"Before Almighty God and my beloved nation, I pledge to be always thankful for the nation’s freedom regained in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, born by the mercy of God and the unity of millions of Filipinos who stood their ground, in the face of danger and death, to defend the rights of their fellow Filipinos, and to show the world that the way to freedom and democracy is the path of peace."

A final song, "Heal our Land" was sung by Tex Ordonez, while confetti from two helicopters showered the people attending the ceremonies.

Also attending the flag-raising ceremony were other members of the cabinet, top police and military brass, and the family of former President Aquino who witnessed the signing of the Ninoy Day law at the People Power Monument.

The latest Pulse Asia survey showing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo overtaking actor Fernando Poe Jr. is an indication that people are beginning to see the light and separate fantasy from reality.

This was the assessment made by Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo in a radio interview today as he noted how the accomplishments of the President are starting to create an impact on Filipinos.

"Ito po ay dahil na rin sa mga nakikita ng sambayanan hinggil sa kaniyang performance (This is because people are now more aware of her performance)," Saludo said.

"Nakikita natin na ang sambayanan ay talagang pinagmumunihan na ang iba’t ibang mga kandidato at marahil marami sa kanila ay nagpapalit na ng isip o kaya nagsisimula ng maging undecided o nag-aalinlangan sa kanilang dating pinipili. (We can see here that the people are now carefully weighing things and are starting to change their minds on their previous choices)."

Among the projects that the people are probably beginning to appreciate, Saludo said, are the President’s housing program where 700, 000 families have benefited, the agriculture and fisheries modernization where P72 billion have been spent, the irrigation program where 640,000 hectares have been reached.

""Nakikita natin sa survey na ito na ang mensahe ng Pangulong Arroyo tungkol sa kanyang plataporma at sa marami niyang nagawa para sa bayan ay marahil, nakakaabot na sa maraming tao (We can see from this survey that the message of the President with regard to her platform and accomplishments is now starting to reach many of our people),’ Saludo said.

After trailing Poe in previous polls, the President inched to within 1.2 percent of the actor (33.4 to 34.6) in the first survey conducted by Pulse Asia Jan. 23 to Feb. 8. She then surged ahead by a slim two-tenths percent (31.9 to 31.7) in the succeeding survey done Feb. 16 to 20.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to step-up the hunt for the murderers of broadcasters and journalists.

In the KBP awarding ceremonies last night at the Malacaņang Ceremonial Hall, she announced her order to the PNP as her way of acknowledging the importance of the media industry.

She assured the victims’ families that the government will not rest until these murderers are brought to justice and the senseless killings of journalists stop.

"I directed the PNP to step up the hunt, the way they had stepped up and succeeded in hunting down kidnappers under the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force, the way that they had stepped up and succeeded in arresting the big drug lords," said the President.

President Arroyo has also committed rewards for the arrests of murderers of media practitioners as in the case of terrorists, drug lords and kidnappers.

"If they were able to do this to terrorists, drug lords and kidnappers I hope they will able to do this to murderers of journalists and broadcasters. For after all, the media has acquired the dynamism that can either unite us or aggravate our divisions to the detriment of our political and economic climates," she said.

The Chief Executive also recognized the power of the media in spreading the truth, the truth that keeps aflame the light of democracy in the country.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared Feb. 27 as a day of national remembering in observance of the 17^th death anniversary of former Senator Jose W. Diokno.

In Proclamation 558 signed Tuesday by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, the President cited the late jurist, nationalist and statesman for his steadfast struggle against the Marcos dictatorship and his valiant fight for the preservation of the country’s democratic institutions.

She said the passing away of Diokno was a great loss "to our people and has caused deep sorrow among them."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the government will continue to provide necessary assistance to former President Joseph Estrada who is facing the capital offense of plunder and being held without bail.

Addressing residents of the Bataan Shipping Co, (BASECO) compound at the Manila port area, the President gave assurances that Estrada will be accorded fair trial.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo also said that the government has done everything to ensure Estrada’s comfort and convenience while in detention.

The President motored to Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila this afternoon after she attended Mass at the EDSA Shrine in commemoration of the 18^th anniversary of the People Power Revolution in 1986.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today thanked the volunteers of the Gawad Kalinga Movement, especially the Couples for Christ (CFC), for their contributions in building homes for the poor as well as for showing a "very good example of a true people power."

"Thank you Couples for Christ for this very good example of people power. Thank you also to those who helped the Gawad Kalinga (project), especially to the Couples for Christ," she said.

The President said that CFC made a right choice to celebrate the commemoration of People Power 1 in Baseco because the celebration of EDSA 1 coincided in the celebration of the day for justice for all ordinary Filipinos.

"Today is also the day for justice for Ninoy Aquino. It is also a day for all human rights victims during the martial rule," she said.

Early this morning, the President signed a law declaring August 21 as a national holiday in tribute to Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, as national hero.

The President told the residents that the true meaning of people power is the power of the ordinary Filipino.

She said, as a product of the people power, she spearheaded the fight to change the lives of the ordinary Filipino, giving them opportunities to own houses and lots.

Gawad Kalinga is a non-sectarian, multi-sectoral, non-partisan and non-discriminatory community development program for the poor.

During the past five years, Gawad Kalinga has helped in the transformation of more than 200 communities all over the country from dirty shantytowns to clean, productive and cohesive communities.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to rehabilitate an artesian well in Novaliches, Quezon City to provide an additional source of clean water for local residents, particularly with the onset of the summer season.

The President issued the directive as she inaugurated another Patubig ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo project along Magsaysay Avenue Extension in San Bartolome, Novaliches.

"This is part of our programs to provide clean water and good governance," the President said.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo was warmly welcomed by some 2,000 San Bartolome residents and local officials led by Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Councilor Eric Medina, and Barangay Chairman Rolando dela Cruz.

Local residents have been complaining of lack of potable water since 10 years ago because of low water pressure in their community.

The President directed PAGCOR's Patubig managing head Ram Agoncillo to rehabilitate the artesian well for the benefit of the 4,000 affected residents in the area.

In conjunction with the observance of the 18^th anniversary of EDSA People Power ’86, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the reduction of monthly rentals at the Paradise Heights apartments in Smokey Mountain.

"I directed the NHA (National Housing Authority) to lower your rates, P700 for those living in the ground floor, P500 for the 2^nd floor, P400 for the 3^rd floor, P300 for the 4^th floor and P200 for the 5^th floor," the President told the Smokey Mountain dwellers.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo stressed that the housing project in Smokey Mountain initiated by former President Fidel Ramos in 1996 was stopped by then President Joseph Estrada because it was not included in his priority programs.

When Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo took over the presidency from deposed President Estrada, she immediately resumed implementation of the Smokey Mountain housing project.